Today is Windrush Day, when we commemorate the immigration on board of the HMT Empire Windrush. As a child of the generation of Jamaicans that arrived to the UK during that time, the culture of the island permeates in my daily life.

For example, when I was interviewed on stage as part of Wednesday Mic Fever on the Legacy Centre, Miss Culture Jam asked me the following: if you could only have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I immediately knew that my answer was rice. The practical reason is that you can dress it up and prepare it in many forms, but the emotional foundation of my decision is the traditionally Jamaican rice with peas dish that I love so much.

It has to be cooked properly, of course: not soggy, not bland, and with the right amount of spice. Also, the peas must be soaked overnight to reach the proper texture. It’s excellent while fresh and also the day after, a real lifesaver when you need to sort your lunch quickly. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out!

Besides excellent food, Jamaica also brought reggae to the world. I deeply enjoy making reggae versions of songs from another genres, which is exactly what I did with the hymn “How Great Thou Art” for Wednesday Mic Fever. If you’re intrigued, you can watch my lockdown solo version here:

Do you commemorate Windrush Day? If so, how do you do it? And also, let me ask you the same question I received: if you only could have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Let me know in a comment!